The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board has a strong commitment to human rights, equity and inclusion, and recognizes and respects the diversity across our faith and cultural communities. Throughout the year, many OCDSB students and staff members may be absent from school or work to observe a particular religious/creed date or date of cultural significance. To better meet the needs of students, staff members, and families, the OCDSB avoids scheduling events, evaluations, field trips, and other important activities on many of these dates. The information below provides guidance for the observance of faith days and dates of significance by all schools and workplaces in the District.
Starred Dates
“Starred Dates” represent dates of observance identified as most significant to faith and spiritual groups served by the District. Events should not be scheduled on these dates, for staff or for students, unless there are significant extenuating circumstances. Exceptions are sometimes made in the case of extended field trips, which are made with Superintendent approval and take into consideration the impact to students and staff participating, the availability of learning opportunities and their educational value. “Starred Dates” are reflected in the chart below.
|
Date
|
Days of Observance
|
Faith or Observed By
|
|
September 26-27, 2022
inclusive
|
Rosh Hashanah
|
Judaism
|
|
September 30, 2022
|
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day)
|
Indigenous
|
|
October 5, 2022
|
Yom Kippur
|
Judaism
|
|
October 5, 2022
|
Dussehra (Vijayadashmi)
|
Hinduism
|
|
October 24, 2022
|
Diwali Festival **
|
Hindu (5 day Festival)
|
|
December 25, 2022
|
Christmas
|
Christian
|
|
January 7, 2023
|
Christmas – Feast of the Nativity
|
Christian (Orthodox)
|
|
January 22, 2023
|
Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean New Year
Lunar New Year
|
Buddhism/ Confucian/Daoism
|
|
April 6, 2023
|
Pesach (Passover)
|
Judaism (The first two days and last two days of Passover are observed as full Holy Days)
|
|
April 7, 2023
|
Good Friday
|
Christian
|
|
April 9, 2023
|
Easter
|
Christian
|
|
April 14, 2023
|
Holy Friday
|
Christian (Orthodox)
|
|
April 14, 2023
|
Vaisakhi
|
Sikhism
|
|
April 21 2023
|
Eid-al-Fitr*
|
Islam (3 days Holy Days)
|
|
April 21 2023
|
Ridvan
|
Bahá’i (12-day Festival)
|
|
June 29,2023
|
Eid-al-Adha*
|
Islam (4 days Holy Days)
|
Note: * Tentative dates subject to the sighting of the moon each month
** Local or regional customs may use a variation of this date
All Islamic, Jewish and Bahá'i Holy days commence at sunset on the preceding day. |
For some observances there are a range of days considered Holy or of significance. These are provided where applicable in the third column for information purposes and are not considered Starred Days.
Dates of Observance
The “Dates of Observance” listed in the chart below represent dates, or a range of dates, that should also be considered (in addition to the Starred Dates above) when scheduling events in schools and across the District, in order to avoid impacting students and staff who may be observing them.
|
Date
|
Days of Observance
|
Faith or Observed By
|
|
October 10 - 16, 2022
|
Sukkot
|
Judaism***
|
|
October 17 - 18
|
Simchat Torah
|
Judaism***
|
|
November 8, 2022
|
Birth of Guru Nanak Dev Jayanti*
|
Sikhism
|
|
November 16, 2022
|
Louis Riel Day
|
Indigenous
|
|
December 1, 2022
|
Nunatsiavut Day
|
Indigenous
|
|
January 5, 2023
|
Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
|
Sikhism
|
|
January 14, 2023
|
Makar Sankranti
|
Hinduism
|
|
February 22, 2023
|
Ash Wednesday
|
Christian
|
|
March 6, 2023
|
Magha Puja Day **
|
Buddhism
|
|
March 20, 2023
|
Naw Ruz
|
Bahá’i
|
|
April 16, 2023
|
Orthodox Easter
|
Christian (Orthodox)
|
|
May 5, 2023
|
Wesak/Vesak**
|
Buddhism
|
|
May 26 -27 2023
|
Shavuot
|
Judaism***
|
|
June 21, 2023
|
National Indigenous Peoples Day
|
Indigenous
|
Note: * Tentative dates subject to the sighting of the moon each month
** Local or regional customs may use a variation of this date
All Islamic, Jewish and Bahá'i Holy days commence at sunset on the preceding day.
|
For some observances there are a range of days considered Holy or of significance. These are provided where applicable in the third column for information purposes and are not considered Starred Days.
MultiFaith Calendar and Additional Dates
There are many additional dates of religious, cultural, educational, and identity-based significance throughout the year. Information about these dates may be included in class lessons, shared on social media, posted on the District website, or shared in other channels. These dates provide important opportunities to learn about the histories, celebrations, and challenges faced by various communities. Please click here to view the full MultiFaith Calendar, and visit our Board Calendar for additional dates of significance.
Please note, the dates reflected on this page are not meant to be exhaustive and may be updated as dates are changed or confirmed. If you would like to request that a particular date be added or ask a question, please use this Google Form.